Sustainability Report 2012 - Transnet

Environmental dividends“Everyone has the right to have the environment protected, for the benefit of presentand future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures thatprevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation and secureecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promotingjustifiable economic and social development.”These are the systemic environmental challenges which Transnet faces:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 ransnet’s business is conducted across South Africa’s rich ecosystems: in coastal waters, overmountains, rivers, wetlands, semi-deserts, valleys, forests, fynbos and veld. Through these systems, webuild infrastructure, operate equipment, and handle large volumes of cargo. Every day, our employees,contractors, suppliers and customers have an impact on the natural environment and depend on it fortheir livelihoods. Our responsibility is to mitigate this impact and protect our invaluable natural heritage. primary source of energy, is supplied by South Africa’s coal-fired power stations which emit largequantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Diesel,imported from oil-extracting countries and manufactured by emissions-intensive processing locally, emitsGHG at a high cost to the environment, both in climate change and localised air quality. We use water buthave not yet quantified how much we can save. We comply with waste management regulations but havenot yet pursued deliberate recycling strategies. year to power stations and export facilities, and continues to invest in new railway capacity to meet therelentless demand for coal from growing economies both locally and abroad. We are mindful that this isboth a value proposition and a long-term risk as the world seeks renewable forms of energy tosustainably support burgeoning populations. erratic and violent weather events, particularly coastal storms and floods. Our infrastructure planning isbeing adapted accordingly. Water scarcity adaptation measures are also needed.In recent years, our focus has been on environmental impact mitigation plans for infrastructure projectsand environmental regulation compliance. In these, Transnet is acclaimed for innovative biodiversityprotection and sound environmental management practices. These efforts continue and will be furtherenhanced in the years ahead. Our environmental focus is now expanding to encompass initiatives inenergy, carbon, water and waste.68